Live By the Code.

In his Rise of the Federation series, Christopher L. Bennett has attempted an ambitious project: telling the story of the early days of the Federation, and showing how we got from there to here (to coin a phrase). Brain-sucking computers, smooth-headed Klingons, and interplanetary bigotry and conflict are just a few of the challenges that the young United Federation of Planets faces during this turbulent time.

In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther are joined by Bruce Gibson to talk about Live By the Code. We discuss the interesting series, the greater good, Trip’s soul and Section 31, Klingon connections, interference, fanatical racism, a full plate, the problem of dependency and our ratings.

In our news segment we discuss the latest comic in the Legacy of Spock series, Ongoing #56.

To Brave the Storm. John Jackson Miller in News. We discuss if the book covers enough, the pacing, Mayweather returning, T’Pau’s change of heart, Romulans, Trip and T’Pol, what might have been and ratings.

Rules of Accusation: Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann. We have a surprise interview with Paula Block and Terry Erdmann from the Shore Leave convention and then we discuss this latest foray into the Ferengi world.

Captain to Captain. We discuss a brand new series, previously on the Space Ship Enterprise, legacies, slugs, parallels, the transfer key and connections, The Prime Directive, legacy of the Enterprise, ratings and final thoughts.

The Romulan War: Beneath the Raptor’s Wing. We discuss the expansive scope, Columbia’s disappearance, character work, media in wartime, war - what is it good for?, losing the Nfs, ratings and final thoughts.

Star Trek: Avenger. We discuss coming back to the book, the Federation’ existential and ecological crisis, a group with questionable policies, Kirk as Sarek’s “Son”, Kirk avenging, the return…again, ratings and final thoughts.

The Last Will Be First: Tristan Riddell. Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther are joined by Bruce Gibson and Strange New Worlds contestant Tristan Riddell to talk about his DS9 story The Last Will Be First. Then as a special treat and for the first time ever, we present the audiobook version of his story to the world.

Elusive Salvation: Dayton Ward. We discuss the title, continuing in history’s shadow, new aliens, where to go, the timey-whimy, Roberta Lincoln, cheekiness, SPOILERS, the importance of hope, a pop question, what’s next for Dayton and where to find him online.

Kobayashi Maru. We discuss Archer coming into his own, wrong things for the wrong reasons, a shadowy man, a shadowy problem, overly long and not a lot of plot points, the Kobayashi Maru, historical connections and our ratings.

Live By the Code. We discuss the interesting series, the greater good, Trip’s soul and Section 31, Klingon connections, interference, fanatical racism, a full plate, the problem of dependency and our ratings.